Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, is in the spotlight as a potential running mate for Donald Trump.
Cotton, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been seen as a possible vice-presidential pick since he endorsed Trump in early January, just before the Iowa caucuses.
The buzz around Cotton increased in late May with media reports suggesting he was moving up on Trump’s list for the GOP’s vice-presidential nomination.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Cotton said he regularly talks with Trump and his team about the campaign but hasn’t discussed the VP slot yet.
He believes Trump will make a good choice when the time comes.
When asked if he’d accept the VP role, Cotton expressed his love for his current job in the Senate but said any patriot would seriously consider such an offer from the President.
Cotton, 47, has built a reputation as a conservative hardliner. Republican strategist David Kochel described him as smart, articulate, and aligned with the party’s current needs.
Kochel also highlighted Cotton’s military service and expertise in foreign policy as significant strengths.
However, Cotton’s candidacy has potential drawbacks. As a white male from a red state, he wouldn’t add diversity to the ticket. But he isn’t the only potential running mate from a Republican stronghold.
Cotton recently campaigned in New Hampshire for former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He’s familiar with New Hampshire, having campaigned there for Trump in 2020 and for Republicans in the midterm elections.
In 2022, Cotton decided not to run for the White House, citing family reasons. He wanted to be present for his young sons, who are now 7 and 5. Cotton hasn’t ruled out a future presidential bid, leaving the door open for a campaign in 2028 or beyond.
For now, Cotton remains focused on supporting Trump and helping to ensure his success in the upcoming election.
